The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-16
THE MEMPHIS BRIDGE.
THE COMMITTEE MAKES REPORT
10 THE MERCHANTS'
Exchange Their Experience az
Washington with Rival Bridge
Companies and Railroads.

Companies and Railroads.
At the Merchants Exchange yester-
day a general meeting was held for the
purpose OF receiving the report of the
Memphis Bridge Committee, who viz
tied Washington. The committee wBs
composed of ID. p. Hsdden, chairman;
W. W Schoolfield, W. j. Chase and
DR.. d. T, Porter
President j. H Martin, Of the Ex-
chang, called the meeting to order
and stated the oScjjsscctt. Chairman Had.
den made verbal report, and said
that the committee appointed by the
Exchange hai met at Washington and
soon fonnd tho situation very much
mixed. Congressman Zach Taylor hsd
bsen active and vigilsnt la his Efforts
to get the bill which is known as the
Nsttleton bill before tie House, but 80
far had failed. He was being opposed
by VIM. G. Ford aud his associates,
who already had chsrter and were
fighting the Neltleton bll tooth and
toe nail. Congressman PoiI dexter
Dunn, OF Arkansas, together with
Reagan, Of Texas, were opposed 10 the
passsge OF the Nett eton bill, and Mr..
Hadden wss of tie opinion that no
action would be taken at this session
Of Congress on the Nettleton bill.
1t seems that VIM. G. Ford has sold
a three-fourlh interest in his charter
to O. O. Baldwin 4 Co., OF New York,
and Lee, Higginson Il Co, OF Boston,
two wealthy fine, and they have
ample means to build bridge, but
they fear to commence operations, as
the Nettleton bill contains clause
which repeats the chartr granted
Ford.
The formula Of tie two charters are
similar. Ford claims he snd h'1 ass" =
ciates wruld have b en- at work last
summer had not n letoD's bln been
hurled into Co gees.
Gentlemel III yoD ress h Il told
the Memphi commlttee not 10 be in
a hurry; that it would be better to
wait even ten years and have bridge
free to all railroads than have one
built and conducted as a monopoly.
The situation is about ss follows:
Zach Taylor is fighting for the Nettle-
ton bill. Poindexter Dunn opposes
1t because be claims it is monopoly.
Randall and Reagan both oppose the
Nettleton bill. Samuel q. Thomae,
representing the Memphis and Charles
ton, also opposes the Nettleton bill,
and with this united opposition it is
not probable the bill will be passed.
PUindext9r Dunn assured the COM
mittes that in the event Ford aud his
associates did not commence work this
summer, he would, on the reassem-
bling of Congress in ID December, intro
ducs a new bill making all railroads
centering here equal fpartners in the
construction and operation of the
bridge to be built, and in this be was
backed by all the leading and iDtluen-
tisl members of Congress.
Last Wednesday night had been set
aside for the consideration of sll
bridge bills, but there was no quorum
present, as it had IL ked out that Con.
gresham Wlils, of Kentucky, had
determined to force vote on the Blair
bill, and the opponents OF the meas
uTe feared it would pass. Mr.. Hadden
here said, in parenthesis, that he felt
slti fed the Blair bill would pass
whenever they could get chance to
vote on IT,.
. In convention with Mr.. Ford, that
gentleman said all he wanted was the
chance OF yaller dog in fight. His
associates were ready to build the
bridge and would commence work in
the summer.
To sum it all up Mr.. Ha1den said
there was no doubt but what bridge
would be built here within q reajona-
BILE time; that the matter bad been
well advertised al d had attracted the
attention OF the whole country. The
committee feel under many obliga-
ito 10 the Hon. Joseph Wheeler, OF
Alabama, for his courtesy and atten-
ton in getting interviews for them
with Speaker Carlisle, Mr.. Rea'
gan, chairman of the Com-
mittee on Commerce, AMI others. They
also referred in highest terms to the
work done by the Hon. Zach Taylor
in trying to secure fiual action in the
matter.
Mr.. w. w. Schoolf Id and Mr.. W.
]. Chase, also of the committee, made
few remarks corroborating the state.
ments and views OF their chairman.
Mr. Newman Erb, the attorney Of
the Kansas City railroad, was called
upon, and he stated that the Kansas
City and the Gould psople had no de.
sire to shut out other panies. That
they were willing 10 let all other roads
in on the ground floor, but they were
opposed to let a private corporation
build the bridge when the railroads
we're expected 10 pay the tolls. The
Ford charter had been offer d to the
X ansas City Company, but they
viewed il in the light of a blackmail
and hence bad decliaed to ma re terms
with the owner.
After soma further remarks the
meeting adjourned sine die.